DOC, WMS Teamsters reject state’s contract offer

The union and state took part in interest arbitration last week to resolve outstanding differences in wage proposals

TUKWILA, WA (August 25, 2026) — Teamsters working in the state’s Department of Corrections (DOC) and Washington Management Service (WMS) groups both voted overwhelmingly to reject the state’s proposed collective bargaining agreement for 2027 through 2029. DOC Teamsters voted down the offer by 95%; WMS members rejected the offer by 96%. Now, compensation components of these collective bargaining agreements will be determined through an established interest arbitration process.

“Clearly, the membership found the state’s proposal to increase wages by 0% over the coming biennium unacceptable,” Teamsters Local 117 wrote in a blog post. “We presented these vote results to Arbitrator Starr Knutson as we made our case for higher wages in our interest arbitration hearing, which concluded earlier this week.”

Photo: Teamsters Local 117

That interest arbitration hearing involved seven days of testimony, with workers sharing why the state’s offer fails to meet their needs. The Local 117 legal team presented arguments for a general wage increase of 8% in the first year of the contract and 8% in year two for DOC members and a general wage increase of 20% in the first year of the contract and 10% in the second year, among other adjustments to address a recruitment and retention crisis among this critical workforce.

The state’s anticipated budget shortfall will likely be a central factor weighed by the arbitrator.

“While our members and our union’s financial experts made strong arguments for raising wages throughout the hearing, the State repeatedly emphasized the tough budget environment, which is something the arbitrator will surely consider,” Teamsters Local 117 wrote.

The arbitrator is now considering arguments before issuing a final decision before October 1, 2026. Whatever the arbitrator awards would need to be funded by the legislator during the upcoming session convening in January of 2027.